Dynamically serving digital certificates based on secure session properties

ABSTRACT

A server receives a request from a client to establish a secure session. The server analyzes the request to determine a set of one or more properties of the request. The server selects, based at least in part on the determined set of properties, one of multiple certificates for a hostname of the server, where each of the certificates is signed using a different signature and hash algorithm pair. The server returns the selected certificate to the client.

FIELD

Embodiments of the invention relate to the field of secure networkcommunications; and more specifically, to dynamically serving digitalcertificates based on secure session properties (e.g., Transport LayerSecurity (TLS) properties).

BACKGROUND

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS), which isthe successor to SSL, provide secure network connections. SSL and/or TLSare commonly used during web browsing (e.g., using HTTPS), email, andother Internet applications. SSL and TLS are described in severalRequest For Comments (RFCs), including RFC 2246 (describing TLS 1.0),RFC 4346 (describing TLS 1.1), RFC 5246 (describing TLS 1.2), and RFC6101 (describing SSL 3.0).

An SSL or TLS client and server negotiate a set of parameters toestablish a secure session in a process called a handshake. For example,the client first transmits a hello message (referred to as a ClientHellomessage) that includes the following: an indication of the requestedversion of the SSL or TLS protocol, a requested session identifier usedto identify the session connection, a list of the cipher suitessupported by the client, a list of the compression methods supported bythe client, random data used for cryptographic purposes (sometimesreferred to as ClientHello.random), and may indicate whether and whattype of extensions (defined by the protocol) the client supports. Theextensions portion is covered by a set of RFCs and the Internet AssignedNumbers Authority (IANA) maintains the list of protocol parameters.

In response to the ClientHello message, the server transmits a hellomessage to the client (referred to as a ServerHello message) thatincludes the version of the SSL or TLS protocol supported by the server,a session identifier that will be used to identify the session, theselected cipher suite (selected from the list of cipher suites includedin the ClientHello message), the selected compression method (selectedfrom the list of compression methods included in the ClientHellomessage), random data used for cryptographic purposes that is differentthan the random data included in the ClientHello message (sometimesreferred to as ServerHello.random), and may include a list of theextensions that the server supports.

Following the hello message, the server transmits a list of itscertificate(s) in a message referred to as a Certificate message(sometimes referred to as a Server Certificate message). The server thentransmits a message indicating that the hello-message phase of thehandshake is complete (referred to as a ServerHelloDone message).Typically for TLS sites, the certificate is chosen based on the IPaddress that is being connected to or based on the destination hostnameincluded in a Server Name Indication (SNI) extension.

Different certificates are signed using different signature and hashalgorithm pairs. Older clients may not support newer signature/hashalgorithm pairs. On the other hand, older signature/hash algorithm pairsmay not be secure. A client will experience degraded experience if itdoes not support the certificate used by the site. For instance, theclient may display a warning or an ominous interstitial screen to theuser; or may block the connection entirely.

SUMMARY

A server receives a request from a client to establish a secure session.The server analyzes the request to determine a set of one or moreproperties of the request. The server selects, based at least in part onthe determined set of properties, one of multiple certificates for ahostname of the server, where each of the certificates is signed using adifferent signature and hash algorithm pair. The server returns theselected certificate to the client.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may best be understood by referring to the followingdescription and accompanying drawings that are used to illustrateembodiments of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system for dynamically serving acertificate based on secure session properties of a request for a securesession according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram that illustrates exemplary operations fordynamically selecting a certificate based on secure session propertiesof a request for a secure session according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that illustrates exemplary operations fordynamically selecting one of multiple certificates to serve to arequesting client network application based on at least in part on oneor more properties of the request for a secure session according to anembodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the server selecting differentcertificates for different client network applications based on securesession properties of incoming requests for secure sessions according toan embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary interface provided by a service serverthat allows a customer to manage their certificates for a hostnameaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary interface for a customer to upload acertificate according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram that illustrates exemplary operations performedresponsive to a customer uploading a certificate according to anembodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary interface for allowing a customer to seewhich certificate will be presented to its visitors according to anembodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates the interface of FIG. 8 with a different set ofselected browser/OS capabilities than FIG. 8 and the differentcertificate that is presented as a result, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary interface provided by the serviceserver that allows a customer to manage their certificates for ahostname according to an embodiment;

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary interface for allowing a customer tosee which certificate will be presented to its visitors according to anembodiment;

FIG. 12 illustrates the interface of FIG. 11 with a different set ofselected browser/OS capabilities than FIG. 11 and the differentcertificate that is presented as a result, according to an embodiment;and

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary computer system which may be used inembodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth.However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may bepracticed without these specific details. In other instances, well-knowncircuits, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail inorder not to obscure the understanding of this description. Those ofordinary skill in the art, with the included descriptions, will be ableto implement appropriate functionality without undue experimentation.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,”“an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment describedmay include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, butevery embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature,structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature,structure, or characteristic is described in connection with anembodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of oneskilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristicin connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitlydescribed.

In the following description and claims, the terms “coupled” and“connected,” along with their derivatives, may be used. It should beunderstood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other.“Coupled” is used to indicate that two or more elements, which may ormay not be in direct physical or electrical contact with each other,co-operate or interact with each other. “Connected” is used to indicatethe establishment of communication between two or more elements that arecoupled with each other.

A method and apparatus for dynamically serving a digital certificate(“certificate”) based on secure session properties of a messageinitiating a secure session is described. In an embodiment, a server hasaccess to multiple certificates for a hostname that are signed withdifferent signature and hash algorithm pairs, and dynamically selectswhich certificate to return to a requesting client based on one or moresecure session properties included in a request for a secure session(e.g., a TLS ClientHello message) received from the requesting client.The secure session properties may include extensions of the request(e.g., the Server Name Indication (SNI) extension, and/or the signaturealgorithm extension) and/or the list of cipher suites supported by theclient and indicated in the request.

As a specific example, if a secure session request is received that doesnot include the SNI extension (which typically indicates that thebrowser and/or operating system is relatively old), the server selectsfrom the multiple certificates a certificate that is compatible for therequesting client (e.g., a certificate signed using an RSA signaturealgorithm with a SHA-1 cryptographic hash algorithm) and returns thecertificate to the requesting device.

As another example, if a secure session request is received thatincludes the SNI extension but does not include the signature algorithmextension (and thus the server cannot infer which signature and hashalgorithm pairs are supported by the client), then the server mayselect, from the multiple certificates, a certificate that is compatiblefor the requesting client (e.g., a certificate signed using an RSAsignature algorithm with a SHA-1 cryptographic hash algorithm).

As another example, if a secure session request is received thatincludes the SNI extension but does not include the signature algorithmextension, then the server may select, from the multiple certificates, acertificate that is signed using a preferred signature algorithm that isindicated as being supported in the list of cipher suites supported bythe requesting client. For instance, if the preferred signaturealgorithm is ECDSA (e.g., over RSA) and the list of cipher suitesindicates that the client supports ECDSA, the server may select acertificate signed using the ECDSA signature algorithm with a SHA-1cryptographic hash algorithm.

As another example, if a secure session request is received thatincludes the SNI extension and includes the signature algorithmextension, the server may select, from the multiple certificates, acertificate that is compatible for the requesting client based on thesignature algorithms supported by the requesting client and the ciphersuites supported by the requesting client. For instance, if thesignature algorithm extension indicates that the client supports theECDSA signature algorithm with a SHA-256 cryptographic hash algorithmand the server shares a compatible ECDSA cipher suite with the client(as indicated in the list of cipher suites supported by the client) andhas access to a compatible certificate for the hostname, the server willrespond to the client with that certificate. If the signature algorithmextension indicates that client supports the RSA signature algorithmwith a SHA-256 cryptographic hash algorithm and the server shares acompatible RSA cipher suite with the client (as indicated in the list ofcipher suites supported by the client) and has access to a compatiblecertificate for the hostname, the server will respond to the client withthat certificate. If the signature algorithm extension indicates thatthe client supports the ECDSA signature algorithm with a SHA-256cryptographic hash algorithm; and also supports the RSA signaturealgorithm with a SHA-256 cryptographic hash algorithm; and the servedshares a compatible RSA cipher suite and a compatible ECDSA cipher suitewith the client; and the server has access to compatible RSA and ECDSAcertificates for the hostname, the server may respond with a compatiblecertificate signed using ECDSA with the SHA-256 cryptographic hashalgorithm.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system for dynamically serving acertificate based on secure session properties of a request for a securesession according to an embodiment. The system 100 includes the clientdevice 110, which is a computing device (e.g., desktop, laptop,smartphone, mobile phone, tablet, gaming system, set-top box, server,etc.) that includes the client network application 115 (e.g., a webbrowser or other application) that is capable of accessing networkresources and is capable of acting as a client in a secure session. Itshould be understood that the use of the term “client device” hereindoes not require that the device be an end-user client device. Rather,the term “client device” is used herein to refer to a computing devicethat operates as a client in the client-server relationship of a securesession (e.g., SSL and/or TLS).

The server device 130 is a computing device that includes the securesession module 132 that participates in establishing secure sessionswith client devices. For example, the client network application 115initiates a secure session by transmitting a request to the serverdevice 130. The request may be a SSL or TLS ClientHello message(sometimes referred herein as a ClientHello message). The properties ofthe secure session request (the ClientHello message) can be differentdepending on the capabilities of the client network application 115and/or the operating system on the client device 110. For example, someClientHello messages may include the SNI extension while others may not,depending on the capabilities of the client network application 115and/or the operating system running on the client device 110.

The server device 130 is coupled with the certificate database 135 thatstores certificates for hostnames. The certificate database 135 may beincorporated within the server device 130 or be located remotely fromthe server device 130. The certificate database 135 may store multiplecertificates for a hostname each being signed using a differentsignature/hash algorithm pair. For instance, the certificate database135 may store for a hostname: a certificate signed with the RSAsignature algorithm with a SHA-1 cryptographic hash algorithm; acertificate signed with the RSA signature algorithm with a SHA-256cryptographic hash algorithm; a certificate signed with the ECDSAsignature algorithm with a SHA-1 cryptographic hash algorithm; and/or acertificate signed with the ECDSA signature algorithm with a SHA-256cryptographic hash algorithm. The certificates for a particular hostnamemay be uploaded by a customer that owns or manages that hostname and/orgenerated for the customer for the hostname.

The secure session module 132 of the server device 130 receives thesecure session initiation request 120 from the client networkapplication 115 (e.g., a Client Hello message) that initiates theestablishment of a secure session between the client network application115 and the server device 130. If there are multiple certificatesinstalled for the hostname, the secure session module 132 dynamicallyselects 125 one of those certificates to use for the secure sessionbased at least in part on one or more secure session properties includedin the secure session initiation request. The secure session propertiesmay include extensions of the request (e.g., the Server Name Indication(SNI) extension, and/or the signature algorithm extension) and/or thelist of cipher suites supported by the client and indicated in therequest, for example. The server device 130 responds with the selectedcertificate 140 to the requesting client network application 115 and thesecure session negotiation continues using the selected certificate.After the client network application 115 and the secure session module132 establish a secure session, traffic between them can be sentencrypted on the secure session 160. It should be understood that theremay be, and often are, additional messages sent between the clientnetwork application 115 and the secure session module 132 to establishthe secure session 160 that are not illustrated in FIG. 1 so as to notobscure understanding of the embodiment.

In an embodiment, a customer device 150, which is a computing device ofa customer of the service, uploads one or more certificates 170 bound toa particular hostname to the service server 140. An embodiment ofuploading a certificate will be described in greater detail laterherein. The service sever 140 may analyze the uploaded certificate(s).Based on the analysis, the service server 140 may present a certificateupload response 172 to the customer. The certificate upload response 172may indicate any known weaknesses of those certificates, such as if thecipher is not recommended or known to be insecure. The certificateupload response 172 may specify which clients (e.g., which browsers)support the uploaded certificate(s). The service server 140 may allowthe customer to specify the priority in which the certificates will beused for the hostname and/or which certificate to use as a fallback incases where a client does not support the preferred certificate(s).

The service server 140 may install the uploaded certificate(s) 174 tothe server device 130 and/or to the certificate database 135. In anembodiment, the server device 130 is one of multiple servers that aregeographically distributed in multiple point of presences (POPs). A POPis a collection of networking equipment (e.g., server(s) and may includeauthoritative name server(s)) that are geographically distributed todecrease the distance between requesting client devices and the content.Multiple servers may have the same anycast IP address. The networktopology determines the best route to find the nearest server. Forexample, when a DNS request is made, the network transmits the DNSrequest to the closest authoritative name server. That authoritativename server then responds with a server within that POP. Accordingly, avisitor will be bound to that server until the next DNS resolution forthe requested domain (according to the TTL (time to live) value asprovided by the authoritative name server). Thus, an anycast IP addressallows a domain to resolve to a physically different server depending onlocation of the client device even though the servers share the same IPaddress. As a result of having multiple servers, the certificates may beinstalled in multiple locations.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram that illustrates exemplary operations fordynamically selecting a certificate based on secure session propertiesof a request for a secure session according to an embodiment. Theoperations of FIG. 2 and other flow diagrams will be described withreference to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1. However, the operationsof FIG. 2 and the other flow diagrams can be performed by embodimentsother than those discussed with reference to FIG. 1; and the embodimentdescribed with reference to FIG. 1 can perform operations different thanthose of FIG. 2 and the other flow diagrams.

At operation 210, the secure session module 132 receives a request for asecure session from the client network application 115 where the requestinitiates a handshake procedure to establish a secure session. Therequest may be a ClientHello message (e.g., an SSL or TLS ClientHellomessage). The request includes one or more secure session properties,which may be different depending on the protocol and capabilities of theclient network application 115.

Next, at operation 215, the secure session module 132 analyzes therequest to determine a set of one or more properties of the request. Thedetermined one or more properties allow the secure session module 132 toinfer the capabilities of the client network application 115 and whatcertificate would be supported by the client network application 115.

For example, a property of the request may be whether the requestspecifies the destination hostname of the server (e.g., through a ServerName Indication (SNI) extension). The SNI extension is described in RFC3546, June 2003. A request that does not specify the destinationhostname may be an indication that the requesting client networkapplication is relatively old and limited as to what it supports forcryptographic parameters. For instance, lack of the destination hostnamemay indicate that the client network application cannot supportcertificates that use the SHA-2 (Secure Hash Algorithm 2) family ofcryptographic hash functions.

As another example, a property of the request may be whether the requestspecifies which signature/hash algorithm pair(s) are supported by theclient network application 115 and may be used in digital signatures(e.g., a signature_algorithms extension that defines whichsignature/hash algorithm pairs are supported by the client networkapplication 115 and may be used in digital signatures). Thesignature_algorithms extension is described in RFC 5246, August 2008.The signature/hash algorithm pair(s) specified in the request can beused to determine which certificate(s) available to the secure sessionmodule 132, if any, are supported by the client network application 115.For instance, if the request only identifies a signature/hash algorithmpair that uses an RSA signature algorithm, a certificate that is signedusing a different signature algorithm (e.g., an ECDSA signaturealgorithm) will likely not be supported by the client networkapplication 115.

As another example, a property of the request may be the list of ciphersuites supported by the client network application 115. The securesession module 132 may use this property to select a certificatecompatible for the secure session. For instance, if the list of ciphersuites does not include an ECDSA cipher suite, a certificate that usesthe ECDSA may not be supported by the client network application 115.The list of cipher suites may also be compared against the list ofcipher suites supported by the secure session module 132 so that ashared cipher suite may be used.

Next, at operation 220, the secure session module 132 selects, based atleast in part on the determined set of properties of the request, one ofthe multiple certificates to serve to the requesting client networkapplication 115. The selection may depend on certificate selectionrules, which may be defined by the customer. For instance, thecertificate selection rules may provide a preference of whichcertificate to select based on the set of properties. For instance, ifthe set of properties indicates that the client network application 115can support the ECDSA and RSA signature algorithm and there are ECDSAand RSA certificates available for the hostname, the client selectionrules may provide a preference as to use an ECDSA certificate over anRSA certificate or vice versa. As another example, the certificateselection rules may provide a preference for the strength of thecryptographic hash algorithm used. For example, the certificateselection rules may provide a preference for cryptographic hashalgorithms that use particular hash values (e.g., 256 bits, 512 bitsetc.). The certificate selection rules may provide a default or fallbackcertificate to use that is supported by most client networkapplications, even though it may not be the most secure (e.g., acertificate signed using RSA with a SHA-1 cryptographic hash algorithm).In an embodiment, if there is not a certificate that is not compatiblewith the requesting client network application 115, the secure sessionmodule 132 returns an error to the requesting client network application115.

Next, at operation 225, the secure session module 132 returns theselected certificate to the requesting client network application 115.The selected certificate may be returned in a Certificate message. Theclient network application 115 and the secure session module 132continue the establishment of the secure session.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that illustrates exemplary operations fordynamically selecting one of multiple certificates to serve to arequesting client network application based on at least in part on oneor more properties of the request for a secure session according to anembodiment. The operations of FIG. 3 may be performed during theoperation 220 described in FIG. 2. At operation 315, the secure sessionmodule 132 determines whether the request specifies the destinationhostname. For example, the request may be a ClientHello message that mayinclude the SNI extension that specifies the destination hostname. Mostmodern network client applications support SNI and include the extensionin the ClientHello message. A request that does not include thedestination hostname may be an indication that the requesting clientnetwork application is relatively old and limited as to what it supportsfor cryptographic parameters. For instance, not including SNI in theClientHello message may indicate that the client network application 115cannot support certificates that use the SHA-2 (Secure Hash Algorithm 2)family of cryptographic hash functions. If the secure session module 132determines that the request does not specify the destination hostname,then a fallback certificate may be returned to the requesting client,where the fallback certificate is one that the client networkapplication 115 likely supports, even though it may not be the mostsecure. In the example of FIG. 3, the fallback certificate is signedusing an RSA signature algorithm with a SHA-1 cryptographic hashalgorithm. If the request does not specify the hostname, then controlmoves to operation 355 and the secure session module 132 selects acertificate signed using an RSA signature algorithm with a SHA-1cryptographic hash algorithm. If the request does specify the hostname,then flow moves to operation 320.

At operation 320, the secure session module 132 determines whether therequest specifies which signature and hash (“signature/hash”) algorithmpairs are supported by the client network application 115 and may beused in digital signatures. For instance, the request may be aClientHello message that may include a signature_algorithms extensionthat defines which signature/hash algorithm pairs are supported by theclient network application 115 and may be used in digital signatures. Ifthe request does not specify which signature/hash algorithm pair(s) aresupported, then flow moves to operation 355 and the secure sessionmodule 132 selects a certificate signed using an RSA signature algorithmwith a SHA-1 cryptographic hash algorithm.

In another embodiment, if the request does not specify whichsignature/hash algorithm pair(s) are supported and the secure sessionmodule 132 has access to multiple certificates that are signed withdifferent signature algorithms, instead of moving to operation 355, thesecure session module 132 moves to operation 360 where the securesession module 132 determines whether there is a shared ECDSA ciphersuite between the client network application 115 and the secure sessionmodule 132. For instance, the secure session module 132 accesses thelist of cipher suites supported by the client network application 115 asindicated in the request and determines whether there is an ECDSA ciphersuite in the list that is supported by the secure session module 132. Ifthere is not a shared ECDSA cipher suite, then flow moves to operation355. If there is a shared ECDSA cipher suite, then flow moves tooperation 365 where the secure session module 132 selects a certificatefor the hostname that is signed using the ECDSA signature algorithm witha SHA-1 cryptographic hash algorithm.

If the request specifies which signature/hash algorithm pair(s) aresupported, then flow moves to operation 325 where the secure sessionmodule 132 determines whether one of the signature/hash algorithmpair(s) specified in the request uses an ECDSA signature algorithm witha SHA-256 cryptographic hash algorithm. If one of the signature/hashalgorithm pair(s) specified in the request uses an ECDSA signaturealgorithm with a SHA-256 cryptographic hash algorithm, then flow movesto operation 330; otherwise flow moves to operation 340.

At operation 330, the secure session module 132 determines whether thereis a shared ECDSA cipher suite between the client network application115 and the secure session module 132. For instance, the secure sessionmodule 132 accesses the list of cipher suites supported by the clientnetwork application 115 as indicated in the request and determineswhether there is an ECDSA cipher suite in the list that is supported bythe secure session module 132. If there is not a shared ECDSA ciphersuite, then flow moves to operation 340. If there is a shared ECDSAcipher suite, then flow moves to operation 335 where the secure sessionmodule 132 selects a certificate for the hostname that is signed usingthe ECDSA signature algorithm with a SHA-256 cryptographic hashalgorithm.

At operation 340, the secure session module 132 determines whether oneof the signature/hash algorithm pair(s) specified in the request uses anRSA signature algorithm with a SHA-256 cryptographic hash algorithm. Ifone of the signature/hash algorithm pair(s) specified in the requestuses an RSA signature algorithm with a SHA-256 cryptographic hashalgorithm, then flow moves to operation 345; otherwise flow moves tooperation 255 and the secure session module 132 selects a certificatesigned using an RSA signature algorithm with a SHA-1 cryptographic hashalgorithm. At operation 345, the secure session module 132 determineswhether there is a shared RSA cipher suite between the client networkapplication 115 and the secure session module 132. For instance, thesecure session module 132 accesses the list of cipher suites supportedby the client network application 115 as indicated in the request anddetermines whether there is a RSA cipher suite in the list that issupported by the secure session module 132. If there is not a shared RSAcipher suite, then flow moves to operation 355. If there is a shared RSAcipher suite, then flow moves to operation 350 where the secure sessionmodule 132 selects a certificate for the hostname that is signed usingthe RSA signature algorithm with a SHA-256 cryptographic hash algorithm.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the server selecting differentcertificates for different client network applications based on securesession properties of incoming requests for secure sessions according toan embodiment. The certificate database 135 includes multiplecertificates for the hostname that are signed using differentsignature/hash algorithm pairs. In the example of FIG. 4, thecertificate database 135 includes for the hostname example.com, acertificate signed using an RSA signature algorithm with a SHA-1cryptographic hash algorithm, a certificate signed using an RSAsignature algorithm with a SHA-256 cryptographic hash algorithm, and acertificate signed using an ECDSA signature algorithm with a SHA-256cryptographic hash algorithm. It should be understood that these areexample signature/hash algorithm pairs and different signature/hashalgorithm pairs may be used when signing certificates.

At operation 410, the secure session module 132 of the server device 130receives a TLS ClientHello message that includes (among other data) acipher suite list, an SNI extension that indicates that the destinationhostname is example com, and includes a signature_algorithms extensionthat specifies that the client network application 115 supports an RSAsignature algorithm with a SHA-256 cryptographic hash algorithm. In thisexample, the signature_algorithms extension does not specify that theclient network application 115 supports an ECDSA signature algorithm.The secure session module 132 analyzes the TLS ClientHello message anddetermines which of the certificates to return to the client networkapplication 115 based on the TLS properties included in the TLSClientHello message including the cipher suite list, the SNI extension,and the signature_algorithms extension. Based on these properties, thesecure session module 132 determines to select the certificate signedwith the RSA signature algorithm with a SHA-256 cryptographic hashalgorithm. The secure session module 132 responds to the TLS ClientHellomessage with a TLS ServerHello message that includes the selected ciphersuite at operation 415 and transmits a TLS Server Certificate message atoperation 420 to the client network application 115 with a certificatesigned with the RSA signature algorithm with a SHA-256 cryptographichash algorithm. The client network application 115 and the securesession module 132 complete the TLS connection at operation 425.

At operation 430, the secure session module 132 of the server device 130receives a TLS ClientHello message from the client network application405 that includes (among other data) a cipher suite list, an SNIextension that indicates that the destination hostname is example.com,and includes a signature_algorithms extension that specifies that theclient network application 405 supports an ECDSA signature algorithmwith a SHA-256 cryptographic hash algorithm, and an RSA signaturealgorithm with a SHA-256 cryptographic hash algorithm. The securesession module 132 analyzes the TLS ClientHello message and determineswhich of the certificates to return to the client network application405 based on the TLS properties included in the TLS ClientHello messageincluding the cipher suite list, the SNI extension, and thesignature_algorithms extension. Based on these properties, the securesession module 132 determines to select the certificate signed with theECDSA signature algorithm with a SHA-256 cryptographic hash algorithm.The secure session module 132 responds to the TLS ClientHello messagewith a TLS ServerHello message that includes the selected cipher suiteat operation 435 and transmits a TLS Server Certificate message atoperation 440 to the client network application 405 with a certificatesigned with the ECDSA signature algorithm with a SHA-256 cryptographichash algorithm. The client network application 405 and the securesession module 132 complete the TLS connection at operation 445.

At operation 450, the secure session module 132 of the server device 130receives a TLS ClientHello message from the client network application408 that includes (among other data) a cipher suite list. ThisClientHello message does not include either an SNI extension or asignature_algorithms extension. The secure session module 132 analyzesthe TLS ClientHello message and determines which of the certificates toreturn to the client network application 408 based on the TLS propertiesincluded in the TLS ClientHello message including the cipher suite list,the lack of the SNI extension, and the lack of the signature_algorithmsextension. Based on these properties, the secure session module 132determines to select the certificate signed with the RSA signaturealgorithm with a SHA-1 cryptographic hash algorithm. The secure sessionmodule 132 responds to the TLS ClientHello message with a TLSServerHello message that includes the selected cipher suite at operation455 and transmits a TLS Server Certificate message at operation 460 tothe client network application 408 with a certificate signed with theRSA signature algorithm with a SHA-1 cryptographic hash algorithm. Theclient network application 408 and the secure session module 132complete the TLS connection at operation 465.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary interface provided by the service server140 that allows a customer to manage their certificates for a hostnameaccording to an embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the customer hastwo certificates installed for the hostname www.example.com: (1) acertificate 515 that is signed using the RSA signature algorithm with aSHA-256 cryptographic hash algorithm; and (2) a certificate 520 that issigned using the RSA signature algorithm with a SHA-1 cryptographic hashalgorithm. These certificates have been uploaded to the website by thecustomer through, for example, selection of the add custom SSLcertificate button 530, which when selected, allows the customer toupload certificates for the hostname. For instance, FIG. 6 illustratesan exemplary interface that may be displayed in response to the addcustom SSL certificate button 530 being selected that includes a field610 for the customer to input their private key, a field 615 for thecustomer to input their corresponding certificate, and a button 620 toupload the certificate.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram that illustrates exemplary operations performedresponsive to a customer uploading a certificate according to anembodiment. At operation 710, the service server 140 receives acertificate from a customer to install for a hostname. For instance, thecustomer may use the interface shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 to upload thecertificate to the service server 140. Different client networkapplications may support different certificates. For example, olderclient network applications may not support newer cryptography. Atoperation 715, the service server 140 analyzes the certificate anddetermines a list of client network applications (e.g., browsers) thatsupport that type of certificate. The service server 140 includes, orhas access to, information that defines the secure session capabilitiesof known client network applications and operating systems; and usesthat information to determine the client network applications thatsupport that type of certificate. Next, at operation 720, the serviceserver 140 presents the list of client network applications that supportthe certificate received from the customer. The service server 140 mayalso present any known weaknesses of the received certificate, such asif the cipher is not recommended or known to be insecure.

Referring back to FIG. 5, the interface 500 also includes a link 510that, when selected, allows the customer to see which certificate theirvisitors will see in varying circumstances. FIG. 8 illustrates aninterface 810 that is shown when the link 510 is selected, according toan embodiment. The interface 810 allows the customer to specify thehostname (in this example the hostname is www.example.com) and togglebrowser/OS capabilities to show to the customer which certificate willbe presented to visitors that have those browser/OS capabilities. Forinstance, the interface 810 includes a checkbox 815 that allows thecustomer to toggle a browser supporting TLS 1.2 and SHA-256cryptographic hash algorithm; a checkbox 820 that allows the customer totoggle a browser supporting Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC); and acheckbox 825 that allows the customer to toggle a browser supportingServer Name Indication. As illustrated in FIG. 8, each of the checkboxes815, 820, and 825 are checked. Based on the provided browser/OScapabilities (as input through the checkboxes 815, 820, and 825), theinterface 810 shows the certificate 830 that is presented to visitorshaving those browser/OS capabilities. In the example of FIG. 8, thecertificate 830 that is presented to visitors with these properties forthe hostname www.example.com has a signature algorithm signed using theRSA signature algorithm with a SHA-256 cryptographic hash algorithm.

FIG. 9 illustrates the interface 810 with a different set of selectedbrowser/OS capabilities than FIG. 8 and the different certificate thatis presented as a result. In FIG. 9, the browser/OS does not support TLS1.2 and SHA-256 cryptographic hash algorithm (as indicated by thecheckbox 815 being clear), does not support ECC (as indicated by thecheckbox 820 being clear), but does support SNI (as indicated by thecheckbox 825 being checked). Based on these provided browser/OScapabilities, the interface 810 shows the certificate 930 that ispresented to visitors having those browser/OS capabilities. In theexample of FIG. 9, the certificate 930 that is presented to visitorswith these properties for the hostname www.example.com has a signaturealgorithm signed using the RSA signature algorithm with a SHA-1cryptographic hash algorithm.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary interface provided by the serviceserver 140 that allows a customer to manage their certificates for ahostname according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 5,however the example of FIG. 10 shows a customer having two certificatesinstalled for the hostname www.example2.com: (1) a certificate 1015 thatis signed using the RSA signature algorithm with a SHA-256 cryptographichash algorithm; and (2) a certificate 1020 that is signed using theECDSA signature algorithm with a SHA-256 cryptographic hash algorithm.The interface 1000 also includes a link 1010 that, when selected, allowsthe customer to see which certificate their visitors will see in varyingcircumstances. FIG. 11 illustrates an interface 1110 that is shown whenthe link 1010 is selected, according to an embodiment. The interface1110 allows the customer to specify the hostname (in this example thehostname is www.example2.com) and toggle browser/OS capabilities to showto the customer which certificate will be presented to visitors thathave those browser/OS capabilities. For instance, the interface 1110includes a checkbox 1115 that allows the customer to toggle a browsersupporting TLS 1.2 and SHA-256 cryptographic hash algorithm; a checkbox1120 that allows the customer to toggle a browser supporting EllipticCurve Cryptography (ECC); and a checkbox 1125 that allows the customerto toggle a browser supporting Server Name Indication. As illustrated inFIG. 11, the browser/OS does not support TLS 1.2 and SHA-256cryptographic hash algorithm (as indicated by the checkbox 1115 beingclear), does not support ECC (as indicated by the checkbox 1120 beingclear), but does support SNI (as indicated by the checkbox 1125 beingchecked). Based on these provided browser/OS capabilities, however,there is not a compatible certificate since the available certificates1015 and 1020 for the hostname www.example2.com both use SHA-256 as acryptographic hash algorithm. Accordingly, the interface 1110 shows thatthere is no certificate 930 presented to visitors as there was not acompatible SHA-1 certificate.

FIG. 12 illustrates the interface 1110 with a different set of selectedbrowser/OS capabilities than FIG. 11 and the different certificate thatis presented as a result. In FIG. 12, each of the checkboxes 1115, 1120,and 1125 are checked, representing browser/OS capabilities that supportTLS 1.2 and SHA-256 cryptographic hash algorithm, support ECC, andsupports SNI. Based on these provided browser/OS capabilities, theinterface 1110 shows the certificate 1230 that is presented to visitorshaving those browser/OS capabilities. In the example of FIG. 11, thecertificate 1230 that is presented to visitors with these properties forthe hostname www.example2.com has a signature algorithm signed using theECDSA signature algorithm with a SHA-256 cryptographic hash algorithm.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the computer system 1300, which is a form ofa data processing system, includes the bus(es) 1350 which is coupledwith the processing system 1320, power supply 1325, memory 1330, and thenonvolatile memory 1340 (e.g., a hard drive, flash memory, Phase-ChangeMemory (PCM), etc.). The bus(es) 1350 may be connected to each otherthrough various bridges, controllers, and/or adapters as is well knownin the art. The processing system 1320 may retrieve instruction(s) fromthe memory 1330 and/or the nonvolatile memory 1340, and execute theinstructions to perform operations described herein. The bus 1350interconnects the above components together and also interconnects thosecomponents to the display controller & display device 1370, Input/Outputdevices 1380 (e.g., NIC (Network Interface Card), a cursor control(e.g., mouse, touchscreen, touchpad, etc.), a keyboard, etc.), and theoptional wireless transceiver(s) 1390 (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, Infrared,etc.). In one embodiment, the client device 110, the server device 130,the service server 140, and/or the customer device 150, can take theform of the computer system 1300.

The techniques shown in the figures can be implemented using code anddata stored and executed on one or more computing devices (e.g., clientdevices, servers, etc.). Such computing devices store and communicate(internally and/or with other computing devices over a network) code anddata using machine-readable media, such as machine-readable storagemedia (e.g., magnetic disks; optical disks; random access memory; readonly memory; flash memory devices; phase-change memory) andmachine-readable communication media (e.g., electrical, optical,acoustical or other form of propagated signals—such as carrier waves,infrared signals, digital signals, etc.). In addition, such computingdevices typically include a set of one or more processors coupled to oneor more other components, such as one or more storage devices, userinput/output devices (e.g., a keyboard, a touchscreen, and/or adisplay), and network connections. The coupling of the set of processorsand other components is typically through one or more busses and bridges(also termed as bus controllers). The storage device and signalscarrying the network traffic respectively represent one or moremachine-readable storage media and machine-readable communication media.Thus, the storage device of a given computing device typically storescode and/or data for execution on the set of one or more processors ofthat computing device. Of course, one or more parts of an embodiment ofthe invention may be implemented using different combinations ofsoftware, firmware, and/or hardware.

While the flow diagrams in the figures show a particular order ofoperations performed by certain embodiments of the invention, it shouldbe understood that such order is exemplary (e.g., alternativeembodiments may perform the operations in a different order, combinecertain operations, overlap certain operations, etc.).

While the invention has been described in terms of several embodiments,those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is notlimited to the embodiments described, can be practiced with modificationand alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thedescription is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method in a server, comprising: receiving arequest from a client network application that initiates a handshakeprocedure to establish a secure session; analyzing the request todetermine a set of one or more properties of the request; selecting,based at least in part on the determined set of one or more propertiesof the request, one of a plurality of certificates for a hostname forthe server, wherein each of the plurality of certificates is signedusing a different signature and hash algorithm pair; and returning theselected certificate to the client network application.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein at least one property of the determined set of one ormore properties is whether the request specifies the hostname.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein at least one property of the determined setof one or more properties is whether the request specifies which one ormore signature and hash algorithm pairs is supported by the clientnetwork application.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the selectedcertificate is signed using an RSA signature algorithm with a SHA-1cryptographic hash algorithm responsive to the determined set ofproperties not specifying the hostname or not specifying which one ormore signature and hash algorithm pairs is supported by the clientnetwork application.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the plurality ofcertificates includes: a first certificate signed using an RSA signaturealgorithm with a first cryptographic hash algorithm, and a secondcertificate signed using an ECDSA signature algorithm with a secondcryptographic hash algorithm; and wherein the second certificate isselected responsive to the determined set of properties specifying thatclient network application supports: the RSA signature algorithm withthe first cryptographic hash algorithm, and the ECDSA signaturealgorithm with the second cryptographic hash algorithm.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein at least one property of the determined set of one ormore properties includes a list of cipher suites specified in therequest as being supported by the client network application.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein selecting one of the plurality ofcertificates for the hostname for the server further includes accessinga certificate selection rule that is defined by a customer belonging tothe hostname.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the received requestfrom the client network application is a ClientHello message, andwherein analyzing the request includes analyzing one or more extensionsof the ClientHello message.
 9. A method in a server for dynamicallyselecting a certificate, comprising: receiving a first message from afirst client that initiates a first handshake procedure to establish afirst secure session; determining that the first message includes afirst set of one or more properties that specify a hostname for theserver and indicate one or more signature and hash algorithm pairssupported by the first client; selecting, from a plurality ofcertificates for the hostname and based on the first set of one or moreproperties included in the first message, a first certificate for thehostname that is signed using one of the one or more signature and hashalgorithm pairs supported by the first client; and transmitting theselected first certificate to the first client. receiving a secondmessage from a second client that initiates a second handshake procedureto establish a second secure session; determining that the secondmessage does not include a second set of one or more properties thatspecify the hostname and indicate a set of one or more signature andhash algorithm pairs supported by the second client; selecting, from theplurality of certificates for the hostname and based on thedetermination that the second message does not include the first set ofone or more properties that specify the hostname and indicate one ormore signature and hash algorithm pairs supported by the second client,a second certificate for the hostname that is compatible for the secondclient, wherein the first certificate and the second certificate use adifferent signature and hash algorithm pair; and transmitting theselected second certificate to the second client.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein selecting the first certificate is further based on aset of one or more cipher suites listed in the first message, whereinthe first certificate is compatible with the set of one or more ciphersuites.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the selected secondcertificate is signed using an RSA signature algorithm with a SHA-1cryptographic hash algorithm.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the oneor more signature and hash algorithm pairs supported by the first clientinclude an RSA signature algorithm with a SHA-256 cryptographic hashalgorithm, and wherein the selected first certificate is signed usingthe RSA signature algorithm with the SHA-256 cryptographic hashalgorithm.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more signatureand hash algorithm pairs supported by the first client include: an RSAsignature algorithm with a SHA-256 cryptographic hash algorithm; and anECDSA signature algorithm with the SHA-256 cryptographic hash algorithm;and wherein the selected first certificate is signed using the ECDSAsignature algorithm with the SHA-256 cryptographic hash algorithm.
 14. Anon-transitory machine-readable storage medium that providesinstructions that, if executed by a processor of a server, will causesaid processor to perform operations comprising: receiving a requestfrom a client network application that initiates a handshake procedureto establish a secure session; analyzing the request to determine a setof one or more properties of the request; selecting, based at least inpart on the determined set of one or more properties of the request, oneof a plurality of certificates for a hostname for the server, whereineach of the plurality of certificates is signed using a differentsignature and hash algorithm pair; and returning the selectedcertificate to the client network application.
 15. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein at least oneproperty of the determined set of one or more properties is whether therequest specifies the hostname.
 16. The non-transitory machine-readablestorage medium of claim 15, wherein at least one property of thedetermined set of one or more properties is whether the requestspecifies which one or more signature and hash algorithm pairs issupported by the client network application.
 17. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the selectedcertificate is signed using an RSA signature algorithm with a SHA-1cryptographic hash algorithm responsive to the determined set ofproperties not specifying the hostname or not specifying which one ormore signature and hash algorithm pairs is supported by the clientnetwork application.
 18. The non-transitory machine-readable storagemedium of claim 16, wherein the plurality of certificates includes: afirst certificate signed using an RSA signature algorithm with a firstcryptographic hash algorithm, and a second certificate signed using anECDSA signature algorithm with a second cryptographic hash algorithm;and wherein the second certificate is selected responsive to thedetermined set of properties specifying that client network applicationsupports: the RSA signature algorithm with the first cryptographic hashalgorithm, and the ECDSA signature algorithm with the secondcryptographic hash algorithm.
 19. The non-transitory machine-readablestorage medium of claim 14, wherein at least one property of thedetermined set of one or more properties includes a list of ciphersuites specified in the request as being supported by the client networkapplication.
 20. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium ofclaim 14, wherein selecting one of the plurality of certificates for thehostname for the server further includes accessing a certificateselection rule that is defined by a customer belonging to the hostname.21. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 14,wherein the received request from the client network application is aClientHello message, and wherein analyzing the request includesanalyzing one or more extensions of the ClientHello message.